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The Merle Rutledge and Bryant Hood Keep the Peace Farewell Tour! Southside Virginia Awards Most Beautiful Women Nominations!

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 30, 2014| Leave a Comment »

The Merle Rutledge and Bryant Hood Keep the Peace Farewell Tour! Southside Awards Most Beautiful Women Nominations!

Liz Watson, Merle Rutledge, Tonya Hairston Gotluvallovame, Myron Johnson Bryant Hood and Michael Elder is taking nominations for the Southside Awards Most Beautiful Woman! Drum Rolls please Top 30……..We all have 5 a piece to nominate. Bryant Hood, I think Bryant Hood will let… the top Beautiful Southside vote getter in the club free!!!! The nomination with the most likes is considered Southside Awards Most Beautiful Woman! The next three days up to 30 ladies will be nominated!

Rules (After the Top 30 are picked)
1. You will promote the women that each person nominated to win the contest that you have already nominated.

2. Each judge will come up with a question or method each day for each of the.
nominees to answer.

3. Each judge will have to select 2 nominations that received the most likes.

4. The final round rules to select the Southside Awards Most Beautiful Woman will be determine by each of the judges!

5. There will be only 1 winner overall. This is the only way to make sure a clear winner comes out without the influence of our personal bias.

 
First round minutes, questions, nominations and comments from contestants, judges, and more
 
You, Kaneia Motley, Tonya Hairston Gotluvallovame and 2 others like this.

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Merle T. Rutledge Jr remembers Joshua “Omar” Johnson story saved his life!

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on December 10, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Justice for Joshua ‘Omar’ Johnson saved my life!
On January 9, 2013, I was pulled over with a friend by the Norfolk Police Department officers.  During stop, I was told by one Officer Plaza that I could go, while another officer told me I had to stay in a refusal to respect the other officer call.  At the time that the officer was telling me to go while the female officer Tessier was saying that …I could not leave, her head was so close to the car that if I would have pulled off than it was a good chance that she would have been hit.   I stayed still and asked calmly the female officer could I leave.  She repeated that I could not go and could care less about her fellow officer decision to leave.  I followed the ruling that was that stated by the U.S Supreme Court that if you are told to stay by a police order after asking if you are free to leave and there is no legal justification than the seizure becomes unreasonable and illegal.  My car was perfectly fine and legal to be on the road, but sometimes police officers lose control of their professionalism and job duties when they run into people that know their rights.   Mr. Johnson shows the ultimate consequence of dealing with police under certain conditions.   The deadly consequences that come from dealing with the police.  Mr. Johnson stuck a officer which is not in dispute, however whether it was intentional or a split second action that could have been prevented in its totality is still a matter of dispute in the community because the city has refused to release the final moments of Mr. Johnson life.  The City of Norfolk, Va has refused to release the tape of this traffic stop.  However, I feel it would have been released if it had been favorable to the police.  I think about this tragic death at the hands of police every time I spend a minute working on this lawsuit which was approved to move forward in Norfolk, Va Federal Courts.  I even asserted his tragedy in my case of the consequences if I had to decided to go with one officer request, even though I knew it could endanger or hurt another officer and be interpreted as grounds to kill another black man.  Mr. Johnson is not going to be forgotten and the issue will not be ignored as more and more people take the fear that they have and use it for positive growth.  A complaint that is taken up by a citizen and its proved makes the police departments and city government more efficient.  It is your duty to report abuse and to take a stand against it.  It is the public job to debate the justice and to make sure it is administered equally.   2pac said it best, the power is in the people and into the politics that is addressed!  This message may only be of words of encouragement as they continue to grieve for their loved ones, God gave his only begotten son so that we could live.”  Your son is still god son, and some are living but dying inside.  However, his life and death is motivation for new breath of life in those to make sure it does not continue to happen again!
Thank you Mr. Johnson and your Family/Friends,
Merle T. Rutledge — with Michael J. Muhammad.See More

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A message to the Human Race!

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on July 27, 2013| Leave a Comment »

A message not just to the Black Community but the Human Race!

Too many are so willing to take out a gun and shoot something or somebody, but won’t even pull out a book to learn something about some – body! I am tired of people walking around ignorant and listening to anything that someone tells them compared to doing their own research and finding out for themselves. It is not a day that goes bye where I read or meet someone in local government or a private citizen that is clueless because of their own laziness about the issues that are oppressing them to this day. If I believe everything that someone told me in this area than I am just another fool that they do not have to be concern about or even respect. When people read the words or the actions that I take, all races take notice in the academic, legislative, or civil community, because I know what I am talking about and have facts that can not be disputed from sources that are knowlegable about the issue. However, I can know and still look dumb or I can know and look like a intelligent human being. We all believe that race plays a vital role in have and have not community. It is only an excuse if you are only taking that approach for why you have problems and lack redress of your call for action. I am very proud of the individuals that are still going to school and learning about what it really takes to be successful and be a impact on their prospective fields. A college is nothing more than public library that we all can learn from and achieve any goal that we so desire. In the HBO Series The Wire character Brother Mouzone states, “The most dangerous man is the one with a library card!, laughs Mouzone. He laughs at the fool but recognizes and respect the rules! Try your best to know the answer before you open your mouth and ask a question and accept the first answer. Inn any negotiations, the dummy is always the ones that take the first offer. I think Andrekka J. Lanier would find the irony in that statement! 

Merle Rutledge

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Stop Marching and Start Fighting!

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , , , on July 23, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Why I did not go to the March for Justice? My answer!

Firstly, I did not go. It is great to show support and get yourself on Television. However, marching and screaming is not going to get the job done. If you want policy change than be at policy making meetings. Be at policy making functions. Be involved other than going home and saying you have done your part. Go home and be active in getting things done and that is by teaching our generation to be better than what we are now. We have to prepare our youth and prepare ourselves to be a part of the process and not a part of the problem.

Secondly, The problem is that we go to a march, go to sleep, and wake up with the same issues and problems. When are we going to wake up and smell the breath of change. We need to have marches on the days that City Council or public policy making days in our areas. We are good enough to be out in the streets for hours, but won’t even sit down and speak in a local government meeting for a few minutes. So you can March from here to Michigan. You will keep walking bye justice instead of confronting it. Stand your ground law was being passed while the same people marching wasn’t protesting its implementation.

In conclusion, I hope this statement makes a lot of people mad and get people ready to start being involved with what is impacting the community. We talking while others are really impacting our way of life. You can not be mad about how we are being treated, when we don’t even face those that are deciding how the treatment is distributed. So if you can march to a street, than you can march into their office and demand justice face to face. When is the last time you been at a March and the speaker told you when the next public policy meeting is going to be and to be in attendance and speak. I’ll let you think on it! I want town, city, and council meetings so tired of people bringing up issues wrong with the community to the point they feel like they have to do something in order to keep you from coming in and putting their dirt on front street. This is how we create change. This says that we are not putting up with the shit anymore!

Merle Rutledge

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My memories of Norfolk, Va Police Officer Decker

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on June 22, 2013| Leave a Comment »

When people say I do not like the police department? It is a big statement to make about a subset of the population that I consider corrupt! It is many officers, all across America, that will not violate your civil rights to perfect an arrest. It is so many that would be spending a weekend in jail if this officer didn’t give them a second chance to go home and cool off, instead of a arrest and a jail cell. There are many that I pray to there families for healing in a time of grief and tragedy. Officer Decker was a friend that I seen all over Norfolk. This beloved officer help so many avoid arrest by simply deescalating confrontations that he has faced before probable cause existed. He had also went to me while having a good time in Norfolk to help settle disputes that could have easily turned violent. It is so many men and women that have not had to spend a night behind bars because of his preemptive actions. He has always treated me with respect and has always been professional and courteous. He is the officer that I hope will have justice and bring closure to his family for his death. He was natural police. He wore the badge with honor and acted colorblind towards his enforcement of the law. I would see him in downtown norfolk, va talking to citizens and friends about ordinary life. He was clearly the life of the party. I am bothered, each and everyday, that the family has yet to have someone convicted of this senseless killing. However, I want everyone to know I lost a friend in the Norfolk, Va Police Department a few years ago. I will never forget this trusted police servant. I believe he and just like Omar Johnson deserve justice. I hope they are hanging out in heaven and having a ball. A tragedy is a tragedy, so to local government officials in the City of Norfolk, Va, show some damn respect. One way or the other, there will be justice!
Photo: When people say I do not like the police department? It is a big statement to make about a subset of the population that I consider corrupt! It is many officers, all across America, that will not violate your civil rights to perfect an arrest. It is so many that would be spending a weekend in jail if this officer didn't give them a second chance to go home and cool off, instead of a arrest and a jail cell. There are many that I pray to there families for healing in a time of grief and tragedy. Officer Decker was a friend that I seen all over Norfolk. This beloved officer help so many avoid arrest by simply deescalating confrontations that he has faced before probable cause existed. He had also went to me while having a good time in Norfolk to help settle disputes that could have easily turned violent. It is so many men and women that have not had to spend a night behind bars because of his preemptive actions. He has always treated me with respect and has always been professional and courteous. He is the officer that I hope will have justice and bring closure to his family for his death. He was natural police. He wore the badge with honor and acted colorblind towards his enforcement of the law. I would see him in downtown norfolk, va talking to citizens and friends about ordinary life. He was clearly the life of the party. I am bothered, each and everyday, that the family has yet to have someone convicted of this senseless killing. However, I want everyone to know I lost a friend in the Norfolk, Va Police Department a few years ago. I will never forget this trusted police servant. I believe he and just like Omar Johnson deserve justice. I hope they are hanging out in heaven and having a ball. A tragedy is a tragedy, so to local government officials in the City of Norfolk, Va, show some damn respect. One way or the other, there will be justice!

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“We all want justice in America for Joshua “Omar” Johnson of the City of Norfolk, Va

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on June 5, 2013| Leave a Comment »

There are a lot of broken homes all across America. Families lives have been changed in a matter of seconds from the violence, prejudice, and callous disregard for the welfare of others. If I learned the most valuable lesson from The recent events such as the set up by Norfolk Police Department of the killing of Joshua Omar Johnson, and others that shared similar fates under a different set of facts, is the value of life and family. Many of us can go home and talk, hug, and kiss our loved ones, while others go to a home where there is one less family member sleeping safe in their room. We all spend so much time with bitterness and disgust for our fellow neighbor, but when they are gone, we wish for the opportunity to say at least good – bye. As a father, I look at the world and what I do a lot differently. It is no longer about what I want to do, but what is in my children best interest. Moreover, I have to consider that anything I act, speak, or take action on, in regards to the many issues that surround protecting our civil rights. 

Secondly, I am troubled by our neighbors, family, and friends that are so easily willing to take a life, but are uneasy about taking the consequences of those actions. I have seen the toughest hard core self claimed criminals read letters of apology and cry to a judge for forgiveness that will never come. Two families, like so many families, all across this country has had to suffer and deal with these tragic events. We all, including myself, has to do better to end the petty grudges. If we are to do justice on behalf of anyone is to stand together for its resolve. Joshua, like so many others, should be consider all of our son, all across America. The many critics, in regards to statements that they have been made trying to label with prejudice the negative characteristics that they view of Mr. Johnson, are only a matter of time when they will seek others for good words of kindness, and people of faith that is unconditional. Some want favor under conditions. I will pray for them, just like I pray for each and everyone of you that such a tragic events does not have to be repeated. 

In conclusion, If you have a beef, grudge, or any negative with anyone in your life, its time to come to terms, because tomorrow is not guaranteed for you or for me. U.S President Obama said it best, “If I had a son, he would look just like Trayvon!” Mr. Johnson was made in Gods image, just like all of us. Mr. Johnson, Mr. Trayvon Martin, Mr. Troy Davis, and countless others that has felt the weight and flaws of our justice system are our family, as I would hope to be treated by everyone as a member of their’s. In order for us to stop violence, we must be on the street, we must be talking to everyone on any street corner or whom we may walk bye, even if its to say good morning, and not just sitting in a room full of bureaucrats that are trying to save face and add another event to their resume. If we treat people like animals than thats how they are going to behave. We need to follow up. Furthermore, It is each and everyone of you responsibility to talk with your family. The rest is up to you. 

Goodnight,
Merle Rutledge
Civil Rights Activist
Political Blogger
Political Consultant
Former Candidate for the Mayor of the Town of Chatham, Va
Also a son of everyone in the City of Norfolk, Va

Vote Michael J. Muhammad, for Mayor of the City of Norfolk, VA 2014Image

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Norfolk, Va Police Officers Plaza and Tessier discipline for civil rights violations for illegal stop of Merle Rutledge Jr and Vernon C. Evans-El!

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 23, 2013| 1 Comment »

Breaking News: The Norfolk, Va Police Department has discipline two more corrupt officers Tessier and Plaza. This brings the Merle T. Rutledge Jr holding officers accountable total to 27. This is based off the illegal stop and harrassment done by these Norfolk, Va Police Officers of Merle Rutledge Jr and Vernon C. Evans – El.

Merle T. Rutledge Jr

and

Vernon C. Evans-El
plaintiffs,

vs.
Officer Plaza, Norfolk, Va Police Department officer, sued in his individual and
official capacity
And

Officers Tessier, Norfolk Va Police Department officer, sued in his
individual and official capacity
And

City of Norfolk, Va
And

John Doe 3, supervisor of the Norfolk, Va Police Department officer,
sued in his individual and official capacity

Defendants,

BRIEF OF ALLEGATIONS
On 1/6/2013. Merle T. Rutledge Jr and Vernon Evans-El was pulled over
by Norfolk Police Department officers alongside Monticello and another
street between the hours of 3 and 5pm in the City of Norfolk, Va. After being pulled over illegally by Officers Plaza and Tessier, We was
told that my 2013 registration sticker was peeled as being the reason
for the stop. During the stop they ran my license and called up the
City of Norfolk, Va impound to see if the car was taken legally and
was in the rightful possession of Merle T. Rutledge Jr. The officers claim that they got a hit on my license plate that the vehicle was abandoned. There was
nothing legally wrong with my plates or with my car in the
Commonwealth of Virginia. Also on the same date in which my car was
picked up from the City of Norfolk, Va impound. I had new
registration stickers, inspection sticker and decals put on the car which was
paid for at the Virginia DMV office in Norfolk, Va on November 14, 2012.  The stop occured in regards to this complaint on January 6, 2012.  All checks
showed that Merle T. Rutledge Jr was the rightful person in possession
of the car, he had no warrants for arrest, and the car was not abandon. During the stop a Officer Tessier asked Vernon Evans-El for identification. Vernon C. Evans-El
gave her his real legal full name, which the City of Norfolk, Va city
attorney office, as well as the City of Norfolk, Va police department
had documentation that Vernon C. Evans-El had legally changed his name
in 2009 in the Circuit Court for the City of Norfolk, Va. Officer Tessier was not satisfied with Vernon Evans-El and threaten to take
him into custody if he did not give up his social security number.
Under threat of force, arrest, and being taken into custody by Officer Tessier, Vernon
Evans-El gave her his social secuirty number. It showed no warrants
on Evans-El, but Evans-El refused to give up his social security
number until he was threaten with force, arrest, and being taken into
custody. There is no Virginia law that states police officers are
able to obtain social security numbers or make these types of threats unless they can cite a specific statute or law that allows for such invasion of privacy.
During this exchange after Merle T. Rutledge Jr was told he could
leave by Officer Plaza. The lady officer told Merle T. Rutledge Jr that he had to
stay, even though Merle Rutledge Jr, asked clearly was he free to
leave after the male officer gave him back his license and told
Mr. Rutledge that he could go. There was no legal justification for Officer Tessier to deny Mr. Rutledge Jr right of movement and to illegal seize him after Officer Plaza said that he could go. Merle T. Rutledge Jr asked the female officer was he being detained and was he not free to leave.
Officer Tessier said yes that he was not free to leave. Mr. Rutledge requested
to get out the car so he could get cigarettes while the female officer
made threats to Evans-El about his social security number. Officer Tessier stated no Mr. Rutledge could not leave and he would be leaving his car behind if he left to go right up the street to get cigarettes. This was in direct violation of the Privacy Act, 4th and 14th amendment of the United States Constitutioin, and Officer Tessier could not cite any
legal authority that required such disclosure. The
officer repeated to Merle Rutledge Jr that he was not free to leave
which made the stop a unlawful detainer and false arrest in violation of Merle T.
Rutledge Jr right to be free to leave and the seizure became unlawful
for all parties in Merle T. Rutledge Jr car.  Merle Rutledge Jr was than in City of Norfolk, VA police custody without any legal justification.   Merle Rutledge Jr
requested for a supervisor. The male officer Plaza would call the
supervisor to tell him to respond to the scene. However, the male
officer got back out of his car while the lady officer was talking to
Evans-El unwillingly because he also refuse to want to be question by
her after he gave her his real legal name of Vernon C. Evans El. He
tells Merle Rutledge Jr that he can go again and Merle Rutledge Jr
than asks where was the supervisor. This is when he knew that Merle
Rutledge Jr was not leaving until speaking to a supervisor after being
harassed by this woman officer and being told to stay after Merle
Rutledge JR was clear to leave by her fellow officer. I want this
matter investigated fully and the audio tape reviewed. I request the
audio and visual tape of this stop through the Virginia Freedom of
Information Act and any written estimates be forwarded to me by e-mail
or mail of the costs, if any. The female officer violated our 4th and 14th
amendment rights and obtain information through false pretenses from
Evans-El and Mr. Rutledge. Merle T. Rutledge Jr car was unlawfully
stopped because his plates was clear and visible to all officers. On
the audio the lady officer admits to being able to view the stickers
and plates on Mr. Rutledge Jr car. She also said it was my mother
fault for not calling the DMV and clearing it with them that the car
had been picked up from the City of Norfolk, Va impound. However, she
could not cite a statute or anything of such extra requirement in
order for a vehicle to be clear to be on the road without being
harrassed form the Norfolk, Va police department. Also her male
officer, stated to everyone that the car had been legally picked up
and the date in which it was retrieved. We challenged the
duration of this stop and the actions taken up by this police officer
and her supervisors. The 4th amendment violation and
unlawful detainment of Merle T. Rutledge Jr against this officer and
the City of Norfolk, Va police department for allowing a policy that
has become so official to threaten and force identification beyond the
Virginia law. Social security numbers and threatening everyone to
stay even though there was no legal reasoning for them to do so is
against the law and beyond unconstitutional. Prior and constructive
knowledge of these known violations in the City of Norfolk, Va police
department is so widespread to carry the enforcement of law, which is
municipal liability. All the evidence is on Norfolk, VA police
officers video and audio. This officer continued to violate every
constitutional right during a stop possible. Evans-El was arrested
before for refusal to show identification card when asked on video.
Alton Robinson was arrested after giving his full legal name for
refusing to identify himself. The City of Norfolk, Va department has
refused to correct this problem and supervise and discipline officers
who refuse to follow their instruction, unless none had been given.
This is a City of Norfolk, Va problem not just a police officer
problem.

2. Justice Souter wrote for a unanimous court. He said “a seizure
occurs if ‘in view of all of the circumstances surrounding the
incident, a reasonable person would have believed that he was not free
to leave.’” Brendlin at 4. United States v. Mendenhall, 446 U.S. 544,
554 (1980). A reasonable passenger, during a traffic stop, would not
believe he was free to leave without police permission; a “passenger
will expect to be subject to some scrutiny, and his attempt to leave
the scene would be so obviously likely to prompt an objection from the
officer that no passenger would feel free to leave in the first
place.” Brendlin at 7. United States v. Drayton, 536 U.S. 194, 202
(2002).

3. The male officer had completed his investigation when he told Mr.
Rutledge that he could leave. Due to the female officer having her
head so close to the window and Mr. Rutledge looking after the officer own safety by
asking her if he was free to leave, because he did not want to drive
off and accidentally hit her with his vehicle while engaged in a
conversation with Evans-El. She told Merle Rutledge Jr that he was
not free to leave at all and was not done with her investigation.
Evans-El was not about to be or was involved in any criminal activity
and had no reason to extend the encounter based off her own personal
motivation. Fortunately Merle Rutledge Jr did not leave because he would have been shot to death like Joshua Johnson for possibly trying to hit Police Officer Tessier after she told Mr. Rutledge that he was not free to leave.

4. Until Virginia passes a mandatory Identification card law.
Evans-El cooperated with the police and should have never been
threaten by the assertion of force or being taken into custody to hand
over a identification card and his social security number.

5. All defendants et al. are being sued under U.S.C 1983 42 and for
violations of Merle T. Rutledge Jr 4th and 14th U.S Amendment rights.

6. The supervisor that showed up at the scene tried to intimidate
Evans-El and Mr. Rutledge into not filing a complaint. The supervisor
that showed up to the scene of the traffic stop also
stated to us that a complaint would go nowhere. This is the main
reason why Im complaining against the Supervisor. It is clear that
supervisors in the Norfolk, Va police department constantly tell
citizens by filing a complaint that nothing will happen to them. It
is about time that you showed something will. It shows a complete
lack of respect for the Norfolk, Va internal affairs by your top
decision makers. He was sure to let us know that the actions of his
officers were lawful and it would be upheld by him and top “decision
makers” in the city of Norfolk, Va police department. As of May 13, 2013, the supervisor that came to the scene has yet to be discipline like Officer Plaza and Tessier.

6. A policy exists with the Norfolk, Va Police Department and its
officers that failure to show identification card when asked can have
you detained and put into custody by force, if necessary. No such
state law or ordinance exists that requires mandatory identification
card. The City of Richmond, VA tried a similar ordinance and later
had to throw it out because it was unenforceable.
Relief Sought –
Plantiffs suffered gross negligence, assault, duration of the unlawful
traffic top, unlawful seizure of my person and vehicle, emotional
distress, intimidation, obtaining information under false pretenses,
harassment, humiliation, injury to the plantiffs reputation, violation
of my freedom to travel, false imprisonment, unlawful detainment, and
a fear of police against defendants et al. Also, Plantiff seek
damages for the psychological treatment for the emotional distress
caused for no reason other than incompetence at its greatest by
Norfolk, Va Police Department Officer’s and the City of Norfolk, Va.
Also, I would like a declaration that the Norfolk, Va Police
Department and the City of Norfolk, Va violated my civil rights.

Case Notations and References:

1. Brendlin v. California, 06-8120
2. Ultimately, the Baker court held that even when conducting a
parole search, with no indication that the female passenger has done
anything wrong, the officer may not search the passenger’s bag. The
court held that although the parolee/driver consented in advance to
searches of his person, home and car, people traveling with him do not
give up their right to privacy.

Case Notations and References:

1. Brendlin v. California, 06-8120
2. Ultimately, the Baker court held that even when conducting a
parole search, with no indication that the female passenger has done
anything wrong, the officer may not search the passenger’s bag. The
court held that although the parolee/driver consented in advance to
searches of his person, home and car, people traveling with him do not
give up their right to privacy.  Pictured below is Merle T. Rutledge Jr (1) and (2) Vernon C. Evans-El, Civil Rights Activists!ImageImage

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Joshua Omar Johnson shooting by Norfolk, VA Police Department not justified!

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 23, 2013| 4 Comments »

 

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Dead driver’s family critical of police

Family say police overreacted by firing 11 shots

Updated: Wednesday, 22 May 2013, 5:03 PM EDT
Published : Tuesday, 21 May 2013, 2:01 PM EDT

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) – One day after a deadly police-involved shooting in the Ghent section of Norfolk, investigators confirm officers were never struck by gunfire.

An officer opened fire on a vehicle in the parking lot of the Wells Fargo at Colonial Avenue and West 21st Street Monday afternoon, after the driver reportedly used his vehicle as a weapon.

The driver, identified as Joshua Johnson, 22, of W. 27th Street in Norfolk, was shot and killed. His female passenger, Virgie May Hairston, 21, was arrested and charged with conspiring to commit or assist in a larceny.

Hairston told WAVY.com Tuesday she thought the check was legitimate.

The couple tried to cash the check in the drive-through around 2:45 p.m. Police say the teller at the Wells Fargo called 911 to report the two suspects were attempting to pass a bad check.

“We pulled up to the teller and the lady say hold on my computer is messing up,” said Hairston. “Police come straight in front of us, and next thing you know, he hopped out the car and started shooting.”

Polices say two officers responded to that 911 call. The first officer parked on the opposite side of the building and drew his weapon. He continued to walk behind the car toward the passenger side, while the other officer pulled his police vehicle in front of the suspect vehicle, which was in the drive-through lane closest to the teller window.

That’s when police say Johnson put his car in reverse and accelerated, hitting the officer in the leg. The officer was thrown onto the trunk of the car.

But Hairston says neither she or Johnson knew an officer was behind their vehicle.

“I’m sure there wasn’t no officer behind us,” said Hairston, when asked repeatedly.

Police said the officer in front of the car lost sight of the officer on the trunk, and fired the fatal shots. Eleven bullet holes were in the windshield. Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene.

“Eleven to 12 times? Not one, not two,” said Hairston, who thinks the shooting was not justified. “It shouldn’t even have got to the shots. They should have fired at the tires or something, not at him, not directly at him and me too. I’m in the car. They didn’t think. They didn’t care. Obviously, they didn’t care.”

When the vehicle came to a stop, an officer pulled Hairston from the front passenger floor. She was not injured.

Photos: Officer hit by suspect vehicle

Friends of Johnson’s in the Park Place neighborhood say he worked several jobs and officiated youth sporting events. They, too, believe police overreacted.

“I told my son and he broke down crying so hard that he threw up,” said Kevin Mills, who worked at Andy’s Barber Shop with Johnson. “That was his buddy.”

The officer hit by the car was treated at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital and released.

Initial reports from police dispatchers said an officer had been shot, but they have since confirmed neither officer was hit by gunfire.

The officer who fired his weapon was placed on administrative leave with pay, which is standard procedure. The injured officer is on “Modified Duty” with pay, probably for a few weeks, said Karen Parker-Chesson with the Norfolk Police.

The police chief refused an interview request from WAVY.com Tuesday. A spokesperson cited the ongoing investigation.

Norfolk Police issued the following to explain policy:

Norfolk Police officers are authorized to discharge their firearm “to defend and protect oneself or another when the officer reasonably believes that he or she or another person is in imminent danger of detah or serious physical injury.” Our training is focused on stopping the threat of imminent danger.Image

Merle Rutledge Jr supports Omar Johnson and Ms. Hairston

Joshua Omar Johnson shooting not justified with Norfolk, Va Police Department! (Merle T. Rutledge Jr responds on why!)

Initial Reports – Man killed by police for trying to cash a check in Norfolk, Va!

An officer opened fire on a vehicle in the parking lot of the Wells Fargo at Colonial Avenue and West 21st Street Monday afternoon, after the driver reportedly used his vehicle as a weapon. The driver, identified as Joshua Johnson, 22, of W. 27th Street in Norfolk, was shot and killed. His female passenger, Virgie May Hairston, 21, was arrested and charged with conspiring to commit or assist in a larceny. The couple tried to cash the check in the drive-through around 2:45 p.m. Police say the teller at the Wells Fargo called 911 to report the two suspects were attempting to pass a bad check. Police said the officer in front of the car lost sight of the officer on the trunk, and fired the fatal shots. Eleven bullet holes were in the windshield. Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene.

“Eleven to 12 times? Not one, not two,” said Hairston, who thinks the shooting was not justified. “It shouldn’t even have got to the shots. They should have fired at the tires or something, not at him, not directly at him and me too. I’m in the car. They didn’t think. They didn’t care. Obviously, they didn’t care.” When the vehicle came to a stop, an officer pulled Hairston from the front passenger floor. She was not injured. Initial reports from police dispatchers said an officer had been shot, but they have since confirmed neither officer was hit by gunfire. Norfolk Police issued the following to explain policy: Norfolk Police officers are authorized to discharge their firearm “to defend and protect oneself or another when the officer reasonably believes that he or she or another person is in imminent danger of death or serious physical injury.” Our training is focused on stopping the threat of imminent danger.

The real story behind the scenes sheds light on what really happen.

My point is that no police officer should have drawn a gun on a person on the street or in a vehicle unless they had belief that the guy was armed and dangerous. This was car a with two youth trying to cash an alleged bad check. It is unknown if they even knew the check was bad. My point is that there should have been no reason to draw weapons based off the initial response to the scene.

This was not a bank robbery. It was on suspicion of trying to cash a check.   How do we even know if the person who was cashing the check was only being scammed.  This is a regular thing to happen in this day and age.  There is nothing about this situation in which a gun needed to be drawn on these youth as soon as the officer exited the vehicle. Did the bank teller ever tell them that the check was fraudulent before calling the police. I have cashed a check and also seen someone who has attempted to cash a bad check. The bank normally checks to see if this was a accident or was it intentional for the check to be presented.  I never seen a bank teller or police draw a gun and not know if there was intent by the individual to cash a bad check. I also doubt that Mr. Johnson even knew a officer was approaching from behind or better term sneaking up on the vehicle.  The purpose of sneaking up is to go undetected until you reach the final destination.  It is a difference between hitting someone on purpose and having no clue that another officer was behind him.

If these were two white women in the car than I’m sure people would not be saying the same negative
bull, like the ones that have acted and behaved, so sickly and childish in these posts. It is one thing to have a civil debate, but to call someone a thug, criminal and all types of racial slurs is the reason why people are responding with hate in the face of this tragedy.  Wells Fargo already assumed that the suspects was black and they was up to wrong and had no articulate basis for being judge and jury at that time.  The officers did not even have a clue if he even knew the check was bad. He is dead now and can not speak for himself. However, the community is engaged to speak for him.

His family, friends, and those that have heard the news are here wanting answers. How many more do we have to lose over this silly rhetoric and racial discriminatory practices. It is one thing to disagree, but a mother and a father lost of a child. I could care less who you are, you deserve respect and dignity even in death. Even in centuries past, people would end a war for a number of days to show respect to even their fallen enemies. The responses here are hateful and appalling. However, I can guarantee while I’m back in town that no one makes those statements to my face, because it is too many cowards hiding behind internet lines.

The officers calling this proper procedure is rushing to judgment and making a naked assertion further devoid of the truth. If Omar Johnson was meaning to run over the officer behind him than it would be common sense to run over the officer pointing a gun directly at him.  He might have been attempting to flee and fleeing suspect but not a armed bank robber, but he did not fire one shot at the officer.  Mr. Johnson was not even armed.  This is the part of the argument that does not make the City of Norfolk, Va argument clear or justified. The man had no clue a police officer was behind him or near him. He was backing away from the gun and not trying to run over a police officer. I believe the media did a great job of twisting what happen in this scenario. However, I’m a lot smarter and I know way better. I still remember the officer being dragged by a car that shot the woman in Ocean view as she tried to elude a Norfolk, Va police officer that also had a warrant for her arrest. You settled with that white family.

To: Wells Fargo and City of Norfolk, Va Police Department

What would you do if you see a police officer with their guns drawn and you are not aware that a crime or offense had been committed. You would be backing up because you believe the cops was about to shoot someone else and would be trying to get out of the line of fire. Now, if you told Mr. Johnson and his girlfriend Ms. Hairston that the check was bad and police was on the way. It is a such thing as telling the car to stay there until police arrived because they would be under a citizens arrest, which anyone has the power to make when a felony is committed in their presence. However, this bank does not let the driver know and as a result he is dead. We do not know if he was running from the police or simply trying to get out the line of fire. Reminder: The bank did not disclose to the individual that the check was bad except that the computer was messing up! I want Justice for Omar and these cops should be indicted alongside the bank teller and bank for manslaughter at the least, and murder which is more appropriate.

I hope you come to terms City of Norfolk and get to work on handling things for this family. It is absolutely no excuse what happen to this young man. None! I am not rushing to judgment but I do not see anyone trying to run over a officer if they would have known one was behind them. Basically this young man was set up to be killed by the Norfolk, Va police department and its protocol.  This should have never happened. I am so sorry for the family. I am sitting here right now trying to keep peace and calm with this situation. I am deeply bothered and frustrated that our friends and family are being called home for tragedy and not celebration. I would never want to put this on any mother or father. I am just completely
speechless

When the media reports Ms. Hairston version of events.  It quickly stops at the part when she says Mr. Johnson panic.  I can explain the reason why because we would all panic or get out the way in this type of situation when we have no clue that a crime has been committed.  “We are trained when ambulance or police cars are in our path to do what, “move out the way and pullover to somewhere safe for our personal safety and to prevent property damage while government officials are in the line of duty and acting within the scope of their employment.!” states Merle Rutledge Jr in his hunt for justice for Joshua Omar Johnson.  Ask Farrakhan about anyone can look good or bad within a 30 second sound bite.

The cop empty out his magazine for suspicion of a bad check. I am going to empty my magazine of probable cause to know that these cops violated this man civil rights and will be held accountable for taking this man life because this is wrongful death. There is no excuse, not whatsoever! I am just in complete shock at the news reports coming out about this situation. I hope its a thorough investigation and the charges should be immediately dropped against the passenger involved. My facebook page is full of messages of support for Omar Johnson. This is not the way I wanted to return back to Norfolk, Va. The people at the bank should be held responsible.  They know good and well if this was a white family than they would havetold them that the check was bad and it was just a mistake first than sending officers to kill first.   There was no reason for guns to be drawn over a check issue.

Humbly Submitted,

Merle T. Rutledge Jr
Civil Rights Activist
Former Candidate for Mayor of the Town of Chatham, Va
Author and Political Blogger

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Tags: 12, 911, alleged, bad, checks, civil,danger, deadly, death, defend, More…

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